Ex-England striker Gary Lineker (Picture: Getty)
Gary Lineker has revealed his latest Premier League title prediction after Arsenal gave Manchester City more hope by drawing to Wolves.
The Gunners, bidding to win the title for the first time in 22 years, took a commanding two-goal lead over Wolves, the team sitting bottom of the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta’s side looked set to move seven points clear of second-placed Manchester City after goals at the start of each half from Bukayo Saka and Piero Hincapie.
But Wolves produced an unlikely comeback to clinch just their 10th point of the season and dent Arsenal’s title hopes.
The Gunners will be desperate to return to winning ways on Sunday when they face north London rivals Tottenham, but could see their lead in the title race cut to just two points before that derby as Man City face Newcastle United the previous day.
Arsenal legend Paul Merson admitted he was hugely concerned for his former club’s title chances after the Wolves draw and Lineker also acknowledged it was a blow for the league leaders.
But the ex-England striker does not expect the surprising draw to derail Arsenal’s title charge and is still backing the north London side to beat Man City to the Premier League trophy.
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Arsenal dropped two points at Wolves (Picture: Getty)
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker said: ‘Do you think Arsenal just need to grow a pair? I know it’s easier said than done but get yourself together and be a bit more aggressive.
‘Be a bit more on the front foot, especially when they get ahead. Is it just a mindset problem for Arsenal, is it a little stutter in the season which every team will go through at some point?
‘I suspect they’ll still go on to win the title myself, but this might be a little shot in the arm that they need to sort out. Man City are now just the five points behind Arsenal and they have that game in hand.
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‘I suppose the question is can City be as consistently brilliant as they were when they won the title four seasons in a row, in that period that pretty much won every game after Christmas, you couldn’t see them dropping points.
‘I’m not quite sure Man City are there or can be as consistent enough to track Arsenal down.’
Premier League record goalscorer Alan Shearer, meanwhile, says ‘cracks are starting to show’ in an Arsenal side that have finished as runners-up for the past three seasons.
‘Cracks are starting to show now for Arsenal,’ he told Betfair. ‘Being 2-0 up and then being pegged back as they were by the team bottom of the Premier League in Wolves doesn’t look good.
Manchester City are breathing down Arsenal’s neck (Picture: Getty)
‘But I pretty much expected this. I never thought they’d run away with it. Very rarely do teams do that, particularly with teams that haven’t won it for a long time like Arsenal.
‘So, from that point of view, I get it and understand it but that would be a concern, and whether they like it or not, the noise will get a lot louder for Arsenal now.
‘Can you imagine how loud it’ll be if Tottenham beat them on Sunday as well? But I think for the neutral, it’s brilliant.
‘I think it sets up a title race which is going to be exciting between now and the end of the season. That game at the Etihad in April was always going to be a key game.’
Shearer also pinpointed Manchester City’s dramatic comeback win over Liverpool as the ‘game-changing’ moment in the title race.
Man City were staring down the barrel of a nine-point deficit in the title race when they trailed Liverpool at Anfield, but then scored two late goals to secure a huge victory.
‘I do think Man City’s result at Anfield was a game-changer,’ Shearer added. ‘It might have been very difference had they not turned it around, there wouldn’t be so much pressure on Arsenal.’
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